Digest the Feed
I’m not a fan of only creating one New Year’s resolution, so I do six. Six? Yes, six. They are a combination of easy, medium and hard in difficulty that span across various parts of my life. Work, health, family, etc. I write them down and actually commit to them for more than the first week of the year. When I read the list at the end of the year and go to write the new one for the upcoming year, I normally find that I accomplished four of them.
Wishing You A Happy New Year With My Cute, Non-Alcoholic Drink, January 1, 2014
Looking at my 2013 list tonight, I see that “try 12 new gluten free recipes or tweak ones to be GF” made the list. It was considered an easy one because it was only once a month for a few hours max, but I did do it. In fact, I know I did far more than a dozen of them. They were more cooking than baking, but heading into my two years of being gluten free in a couple months, maybe I’ll start trying to bake more again? It is possible but I am opting to make this field’s resolution a far harder one.
I am going to try to post at least 300 times to this blog (saying it on here will make me more likely to stick to it). That is more than five times a week but less than six on average, and it gives me a leeway for vacations, work, family problems or extreme illness. I think it is doable and by quantifying my goals, I tend to keep them more. (I don’t do the “lose weight” or “start a diet” goal, instead I write down my weight on the first of the year and opt for “lose 20 pounds” or “get under ___ pounds”.) It just works for me. Consider this Post #1. 
Following a gluten free diet can be stressful and it isn’t something you can take time off of, but goals can be set. They will likely vary according to how long you have been living the lifestyle but there are no limits. Here are a few ideas to jumpstart your thoughts.
If you don’t already resist the “may contain wheat” products, you could try to this year?
If you are new to everything, maybe you should start with reading a couple books (or cookbooks) about it? Or locate a local class to learn about it.
If you already have winning recipes, why not resolve to enter a contest? I know that Betty Crocker began doing a gluten free recipe contest each year and they aren’t the only ones.
If you want to try a cleaner eating version of being gluten free, try a new vegetable each month that you haven’t had before or worked with much, like spaghetti squash?
If you are trying to get over the anxiety of dining out, try to locate a celiac/gluten sensitivity group that meets up to go out together? Yes, they exist in some places.
If you find grocery shopping nerve wracking, try to compile a list of safe brands online or set up your phone with folders of links to sites for quick reference while you are in the store?
What is yours? I’d love to know. Whichever you choose or dream up, best of luck going for it in 2014!
